By: Tyler Lahusky
Agricultural engineering, sometimes referred to as biological and agricultural engineering, is a division of engineering that “applies technological advances to farming”, according to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics. (Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Agricultural Engineers”) Agricultural engineers have a wide focus and range of possible pathways. Many of the different projects that agricultural engineers work on involve, in some way, conserving the environment or feeding the population of the world. These both contain four main categories that agricultural engineers fall into: research, development, production, or sales. Some examples of agricultural engineering projects throughout the United States and the world include aquaculture, forestry, development of biofuels, habitat and land conservation projects, food processing procedures, and farm animal living environments. (Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Agricultural Engineers”)
Agricultural engineering, sometimes referred to as biological and agricultural engineering, is a division of engineering that “applies technological advances to farming”, according to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics. (Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Agricultural Engineers”) Agricultural engineers have a wide focus and range of possible pathways. Many of the different projects that agricultural engineers work on involve, in some way, conserving the environment or feeding the population of the world. These both contain four main categories that agricultural engineers fall into: research, development, production, or sales. Some examples of agricultural engineering projects throughout the United States and the world include aquaculture, forestry, development of biofuels, habitat and land conservation projects, food processing procedures, and farm animal living environments. (Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Agricultural Engineers”)
Within the agricultural engineering world, many engineers fall into three distinct categories or specialties, which may change throughout their careers and specific employers. Agricultural engineers who focus on the structural side of things would design farm animal living environments, food processing plants, or structures for growing algae or aquaculture (and much more). Regarding machinery, agricultural engineers might design the next generation GPS powered tractor, develop biofuel cells, or create new milking equipment for dairy farms. Lastly, agricultural engineers that focus primarily on biology deal with conservation or converting algae to biofuels, and much more. However, these categories overlap often and each has an underlying basis of biology.
Whether an agricultural engineer is in beginning design and working with CAD software, or a seasoned project manager, the work scene is relatively similar. Agricultural engineers spend a great deal of their time in the office. However, they have their fair share of pulling on their boots and commuting to job sites, experiencing their work and conducting tests, or managing the projects. Some exceptions might be an agricultural engineer who is in research that spends most of their time in a laboratory. Many agricultural engineers work with professionals of agronomy, animal science, genetics, and horticulture to accomplish their goals. (Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Agricultural Engineers”) With a bachelors degree in biological and agricultural engineering, one can be on their way to doing their part to feed the world.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2014-15 Edition, Agricultural Engineers,
on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/ooh/architecture-and-engineering/agricultural-engineers.htm (visited September 19, 2015).
From reading your blog post I discovered that technology is way more present on farms then i previously thought. I also learned that someone who is an agricultural engineer can fit into three categories. Each category focuses on a certain aspect in regards to agricultural engineering.
ReplyDelete- Mark T
Glad you were able to learn from my post. Many people don't realize the amount of engineering the technology that goes into farming. Thanks for reading!
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